Office buildings of Appeninn Plc
Project title: Updating the energy systems of Appeninn office buildings
Project term: 2013 September – 2015.
Partner:
- Appeninn Holding PLC,
- Cothec Ltd.
The project
After completing the building energy certificate of the Appeninn buildings and being charged with full-circle energy management, the buildings which have an unconventional consumption profile were revealed.
Based on our comprehensive and comparative review, seven buildings (with an area of 22666 sqm) have been listed to undergo update and revamp investments, in order to improve energy effectiveness by renewing the machinery. We also organized an ESCO partnership, including the search for, and mediation with, the ideal partner.
With the help of an ESCO project, it is possible even for those organizations that have insufficient funding to make the necessary updates without involving a bank or other financial player. Hence the procurer is able to carry out the construction without their own financial source, and during the contract term the ESCO party is in charge of the operation, maintenance, and reparation works, including the gas-electricity supply of the premises. The client pays a flat fee for the complete package on a monthly base, earned from the savings generated by the project itself, so it is a self-funding structure.
Our job here included the tendering of the ESCO partner, acting as a mediator in the negotiations, supporting the conclusion of the contract for both parties’ full satisfaction including fair warranty clauses, and finally the supervision of the entire construction phase.
In the course of the construction, the necessary and prescribed demolition and overhauling works were done in the boiler room coupled with the complete replacement of electric cables and equipment, and many other energy efficient solutions by the building machinery.
Outcome
After evaluation of the figures of the first heating season, the level of total energy savings proved to be around 15-20 per cent. During an additional general inspection of the built-in machinery, fine-tuning of the boilers brought further saving opportunities.
Experiences generated by the project show that renewing worn-out, wastefully operating heating machinery can result in a significant cost savings. It is always practical to start the entire project with a comprehensive energy audit underlying all other calculations and decisions for the investment. Return calculations help to establish a firm base for the whole project, and forecasts the expected future saving levels in energy and cost.
Due to all these efforts, the project was nominated for and won the “Energy Effective Company Prize” in March 2015.